This session is designed for K–12 science, STEM, special education, and ENL/multilingual learner teachers, as well as instructional coaches, department chairs, curriculum directors, building and district administrators, STEM leaders, superintendents, and chief academic officers who are passionate about improving student outcomes. Despite decades of effort, science achievement has remained largely stagnant, with national data showing that 60% of U.S. eighth-grade students perform below proficiency. At the same time, students in under-resourced schools continue to have significantly fewer opportunities for hands-on laboratory learning, while more than 3.7 million homeschool students and over one million microschool learners are often left out of conversations about educational innovation. This interactive session will explore practical, equitable, and forward-thinking strategies that expand access to high-quality STEM experiences, empowering educators to increase student engagement, strengthen science instruction, and prepare all learners for success in an ever-evolving world.
